Biodegradable clothes hanger

ABSTRACT

A hanger device that includes a sheet of biodegradable material having a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first portion and the second portion defines a hook member and a hanger body. A fold line is located between the hook members for connecting the first portion and the second portion to one another. The first portion and the second portion are positioned adjacent one another such that the hook members and the hanger bodies overlap to form the hanger device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/235,044, filed Aug. 19, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to hangers, such as are used for hanging articles of clothing. In particular, this invention relates to an improved clothes hanger that is made from biodegradable materials and is suitable for use in a commercial environment.

Clothes hangers are known for hanging various articles of clothing such as shirts, pants, dresses, and the like from a support rack. To accomplish this, a typical clothes hanger generally includes a hanger body and a hook portion. The hanger body forms a triangularly-shaped structure that is defined by a base support and a pair of shoulder supports. The shoulder supports extend upwardly from opposing ends of the base support and intersect with one another to form an apex of the hanger body. The hook portion extends upwardly from the apex and defines a semi-circular member for securing the clothes hanger to the support rack.

Traditional clothes hangers are generally made from a metal wire or plastic material. As such, these clothes hangers are not biodegradable and the disposal thereof can have undesirable effects on the environment. To overcome this, it is known to make clothes hangers from biodegradable materials, such as heavy-duty or corrugated paperboard. However, it has been found that these current biodegradable clothes hangers are not sufficiently strong for supporting heavier articles of clothing and, therefore, are unsuitable for use in a commercial environment. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved clothes hanger that is made from biodegradable materials and is suitable for use in a commercial environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved clothes hanger that is made from biodegradable materials and is suitable for use in a commercial environment.

Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first side of a first embodiment of a biodegradable clothes hanger in accordance with this invention, shown in a preliminary unfolded condition.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a second side of the first embodiment of the biodegradable clothes hanger illustrated in FIG. 1, also shown in the preliminary unfolded condition.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the first embodiment of the biodegradable clothes hanger illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, shown in a final folded condition.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of a portion of the biodegradable clothes hanger indicated by the dotted circle in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a first side of a second embodiment of a biodegradable clothes hanger in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional elevational view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a clothes hanger, indicated generally at 10, in accordance with this invention, shown in an unfolded position. As will be further explained below, the clothes hanger 10 is initially formed as a pattern from a sheet of biodegradable material. The pattern is then folded to form a structure of the clothes hanger 10, which is suitable for hanging various articles of clothing in a commercial environment. It should be fully appreciated, however, that this invention may be used in any desired environment for any desired purpose.

The pattern of the clothes hanger 10 is initially formed from a generally flat, rigid sheet of biodegradable material, which may be embodied as single-wall corrugated paperboard or the like. Single-wall corrugated paperboard is, in large measure, conventional in the art and includes a pair of outer facings (e.g., linerboards) that are spaced apart by a corrugated medium (e.g., fluting) disposed therebetween and adhered together by an adhesive. As will become apparent, the linerboards define an outer surface and an inner surface of the clothes hanger 10 when in a folded position. Additionally, the pattern of the clothes hanger 10 can be formed using any suitable method, such as a die forming process or a cutting operation.

It has been found desirable to employ a sheet of single-wall corrugated paperboard having a bursting strength value of approximately 200 lb./sq. in. as designated by the Mullen Index. To achieve this rating, each of the linerboards can have a minimum weight of approximately 42 lbs/1000 sq. ft. and the corrugated medium can have a minimum weight of approximately 23 lbs/1000 sq. ft. Additionally, the corrugated medium can have an E-flute specification, which incorporates approximately 94 flutes/ft. at 1/16 in. wide, as designated by industry standards. The selection of the linerboard weight, the corrugated medium weight, and the fluting configuration can be varied so as to design a sheet of single-wall corrugated paperboard having specific properties for any desired application. The adhesive may also be any suitable composition for securing the linerboards and the corrugated medium together, such as for example a starch based adhesive. It should be appreciated, however, that the sheet of biodegradable material can be embodied as any structure that is formed from any biodegradable substance.

The pattern of the clothes hanger 10 defines a first portion 20A and a second portion 20B that are, in large measure, mirror images of one another relative to a reference axis indicated by X. The first portion 20A defines a hanger body 30A and a hook member 50A, and the second portion 20B correspondingly defines a hanger body 30B and a hook member 50B. Therefore, common features between the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B, respectively, will be identified with similar reference numbers having different suffixes (e.g. A and B). Accordingly, only the common features of the first portion 20A will be described in detail.

The illustrated clothes hanger 10 includes a primary fold line 22 for folding the first and second portions 20A, 20B relative to one another in a controlled manner. As shown, the primary fold line 22 is located along the reference axis X, which extends between the hook members 50A, 50B. The primary fold line 22 can be formed using any suitable method, such as a creasing operation or a scoring operation. Further, the primary fold line 22 can be formed on either the outer surface or the inner surface of the illustrated clothes hanger 10, or both if so desired.

The hanger body 30A can form a generally triangular shaped support structure that defines a hanger opening 31A. The shape and size of the hanger body 30 and hanger opening 31A are, in large measure, conventional in the art for supporting various articles of clothing or the like, including but not limited to shirts, pants, dresses, tablecloths, etc. It should be fully appreciated, however, that the hanger body 30A and the hanger opening 31A can be any shape and size for a desired application.

As shown, the hanger body 30A is formed from a plurality of panel-like members, which includes a base support 32A, a pair of side supports 33A, a first shoulder support 34A, and a second shoulder support 35A. The side supports 33A are generally parallel with one another and extend from opposing ends of the base support 32A. Each of the first and second shoulder supports 34A, 35A extends diagonally from associated end portions of the side supports 33A, respectively, and intersect with one another thereby forming an apex of the hanger body 30A. As illustrated, the first and second shoulder supports 34A, 35A can have differing lengths and widths so as to offset the apex from a center of the hanger body 30A. This configuration helps to balance the clothes hanger 10 when it is secured to a separate support device such as a hanger rack. However, the hanger body 30A is not limited to the specific structure described herein but may be embodied as any support structure if so desired.

The illustrated hanger body 30A also includes a pair of shoulder strap restraints 36A for hanging articles of clothing that have shoulder straps or the like. The shoulder strap restraints 36A are, in large measure, conventional in the art and define recessed notches for preventing the shoulder straps from sliding off of the first and second shoulder supports 34A, 35A. Thus, the individual shoulder strap restraints 36A can be located along an upper surface of the first and second shoulder supports 34A, 35A in close proximity to the side supports 33A. Alternatively, the hanger body 30A may define any number or configuration of shoulder strap restraints 36A for a desired application, or none at all.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 20A includes a flap 40 having a pair of securing members 44 for securing the clothes hanger 10 in the folded position, as will be explained below. As shown, the flap 40 is located along an upper surface of the base support 32A, respectively, so as to extend into the hanger opening 31A. The flap 40 may define a generally rectangular shaped structure having a top edge and two side edges. Alternatively, the flap 40 can be embodied as any structure for securing the clothes hanger 10 in the folded position, such as for example straps or the like.

The illustrated flap 40 includes a first fold line 41 and a second fold line 42 for folding the flap 40 in a controlled manner. The first and second fold lines 41, 42 are generally parallel with one another and extend across an entire width of the flap 40. As shown, the first fold line 41 is located between the upper surface of the base support 32A and a lower edge of the flap 40, respectively. The second fold line 42 is spaced a sufficient distance from the first fold line 41 so that the flap 40 can be folded about the base support 32B of the second portion 20B (see FIG. 4). The first and second fold lines 41, 42 can be formed using any suitable method, including for example a creasing operation or a scoring operation. Further, the first and second fold lines 41, 42 can be formed on either the outer surface or the inner surface of the illustrated clothes hanger 10, or both if so desired.

The flap 40 may define a textured surface 43 adapted to prevent an article of clothing or the like from slipping off of the base support 32A. To accomplish this, a portion of the outer surface (e.g. linerboard) that is located between the first and second fold lines 41, 42 is removed thereby exposing the corrugated medium. As such, when the flap 40 is in a folded position the corrugated medium is exposed along the upper surface of the base support 32A. The textured surface 43, however, can be embodied as a tacky adhesive or the like that is separately applied to the flap 40. Further, the textured surface 43 can be positioned along any length or portion of the flap 40 for a desired application.

As briefly mentioned above, the flap 40 also includes a pair of securing members 44 for securing the flap 40 in the folded position. The securing members 44 can be spaced apart and located along the top edge of the flap 40 in close proximity to the side edges, respectively. It should be appreciated, however, that the flap 40 may include any number or configuration of securing members 44 if so desired.

As shown, the securing members 44 each define a body portion 45 and a pair of engagement tabs 46 that laterally extend from the body portion 45 thereof, the purposes of which will be explained below. A lower fold line 47 extends between the top edge of the flap 40 and a bottom edge of the body portion 45 of each securing member 40, respectively. Additionally, a tab fold line 48 extends between the body portion 45 and each tab 46 of the securing members 40, respectively. The securing members 44 can be embodied as any structure for securing the flap 40 in the folded position, such as for example a clip, an adhesive, a stamped feature, or the like, and any combination thereof.

The illustrated hanger body 30A also includes a pair of support notches 37A that are adapted to individually receive each of the securing members 44 for supporting the flap 40 in the folded position. As shown, each notch 37A defines a pair of opposing side edges that extend into the base support 32A and taper away from one another. Alternatively, the notches 37A can be any structure for accomplishing the functions described herein and below.

As briefly discussed above, the first portion 20A also includes a hook member 50A that is adapted to secure the clothes hanger 10 to a generally horizontal support structure, such as a hanger rack. To accomplish this, the illustrated hook member 50A defines a semi-circular structure that extends upwardly from the apex of the hanger body 30A, respectively. The hook member 50A can be specifically designed for use with equipment typically found in commercial environments, including for example a commercial dry cleaning rack or the like. It should be appreciated, however, that the hook member 50A can be embodied as any structure to accomplish any desired function.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an inner surface of the clothes hanger 10 as shown in the unfolded position. The inner surface of the clothes hanger 10 is, in large measure, similar to the outer surface thereof. However, the inner surface of the clothes hanger 10 does not define a textured surface 43 located between the first and second fold lines 41, 42. The inner surface may, however, differ from the outer surface in any manner if so desired.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the clothes hanger 10 is shown in the folded position. As such, a method of folding the clothes hanger 10 will be explained. Initially, the pattern of the clothes hanger 10 is folded along the primary fold line 22 until the inner surfaces of the first and second portions 20A, 20B are positioned adjacent one another (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The flap 40 is then folded along the first fold line 41 toward the second portion 20B so that the flap 40 now extends through the hanger openings 31A, 31B. The flap 40 is then folded again along the second fold line 42 until it extends downwardly along the outer surface of the second portion 20B (see FIG. 4). The securing members 44 are then individually folded along the lower fold lines 47 toward the first portion 20A. The body portion 45 of each securing member 44 is then individually inserted into the notches 37A. As the body portion 45 of each securing member 44 is individually inserted into the notches 37A, the tabs 46 are partially folded along the tab fold lines 48 until the tabs 46 protrude from the notch 37A and engage the outer surface of the first portion 20A. The clothes hanger 10 is now securely supported in a folded position.

Once the clothes hanger 10 is in the folded position, a push-thru hole 38 can be formed for providing support between the first and second portions 20A, 20B. As shown, formation of the push-thru hole 38 folds a portion of one of the linerboards through one or both the first and second portions 20A, 20B (see FIG. 4). It should be fully appreciated that the clothes hanger 10 can incorporate any number or configuration of push-thru holes 38, such as for example a single push-thru hole 38 located near the apex of the hanger body 30A. Further, the push-thru hole 38 can define any alternative structure to accomplish the functions described herein, including for example a pin, a clip, an adhesive, or the like, and any combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of the clothes hanger 10 shown in the folded position. As described above, the clothes hanger 10 is folded along the primary fold line 22 so that the first and second portions 20A, 20B are positioned adjacent one another. The flap 40 is folded along the first and second fold lines 41, 42 so as to contact the base support 32B and secure the inner surface of the first and second portions 20A, 20B adjacent one another. The securing members 44 are individually folded along the lower fold lines 47 and received within the notches 37A, 37B.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the clothes hanger 10 that is indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 4. As shown, the clothes hanger 10 is folded along the primary fold line 22 so that the first and second portions 20A, 20B are positioned adjacent one another. Although the corrugated medium is embodied as having horizontal fluting, it should be appreciated that the corrugated medium can incorporate vertical fluting or any other flute orientation if so desired.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the clothes hanger, indicated generally at 100. As will be explained below, a final shape of the clothes hanger 100 is formed from an alternative sheet of biodegradable material. This embodiment of the invention eliminates the need to fold any portion of the clothes hanger 100 as described above.

The shape of the clothes hanger 100 is, in large measure, the same as the shape of the clothes hanger 10 in the folded position as described above. The illustrated clothes hanger 100 includes a hanger body 300 and a hook member 500. The hanger body 300 can define a generally triangular shaped structure defining a hanger opening 310 for supporting various articles of clothing. The hook member 500 can define a semi-circular member that extends upwardly from the hanger body 300, respectively, for securing the clothes hanger 100 to a generally horizontal support structure, such as a hanger rack. It should be fully appreciated that the clothes hanger 100 may be embodied as any structure or include any features as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a portion of the clothes hanger 100 taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the clothes hanger 100 is formed from a generally flat, rigid sheet of biodegradable material, which may be embodied as sheet of double-wall corrugated paperboard. Double-wall corrugated paperboard is, in large measure, conventional in the art and includes a first outer linerboard 700 and an inner linerboard 720 having a first corrugated medium 740 disposed therebetween. A second corrugated medium 760 is disposed between an opposite side of the inner linerboard 720 and a second outer linerboard 780. This configuration forms a double-corrugated structure wherein the first and second outer linerboards 720, 780 define outer surfaces of the clothes hanger 100.

It has been found desirable to employ a sheet of double-wall corrugated paperboard having a bursting strength value of approximately 275 lb./sq. in. as designated by the Mullen Index. To achieve this rating, the first outer linerboard 720 can have a minimum weight of approximately 42 lbs/1000 sq. ft., the first and second corrugated mediums 740, 760 can each have minimum weights of approximately 23 lbs/1000 sq. ft., the inner linerboard can have a minimum weight of approximately 33 lbs/1000 sq. ft., and the second outer linerboard 780 can have a minimum weight of approximately 35 lbs/1000 sq. ft. Additionally, the first corrugated medium 740 can have a B-flute specification, which incorporates approximately 49 flutes/ft. at ⅛ in. wide, and the second corrugated medium 760 can have an E-flute specification, which incorporates approximately 94 flutes/ft. at 1/16 in. wide. The selection of the individual linerboard weights, the corrugated medium weights, and the flute designations can be varied so as to design a sheet of double-wall corrugated paperboard for any desired application.

It should be further appreciated that both embodiments of the clothes hanger 10, 100 may include printing such as advertisements, branding, or the like, without the need for an external laminate or paper wrap.

The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. 

1. A biodegradable clothes hanger comprising: a sheet of a biodegradable material including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion has a first hook member and a first hanger body and the second portion has a second hook member and a second hanger body, and wherein the first hook member and the second hook member are connected together at a fold line, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are positioned adjacent to one another such that the first and second hook members and the first and second hanger bodies overlap one another.
 2. The hanger device of claim 1 wherein the first portion includes a flap adapted to engage the second portion so as to secure the first portion and the second portion adjacent one another.
 3. The hanger device of claim 1 wherein the flap includes a textured surface that extends along an upper surface of a base support when the first portion and the second portion are positioned adjacent one another and secured by the flap.
 4. The hanger device of claim 2 wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the flap are positioned adjacent one another thereby forming a base support.
 5. The hanger device of claim 2 wherein the flap includes at least one tab member that is adapted to secure the flap for engagement with the second portion.
 6. The hanger device of claim 5 wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion includes a notch that is adapted to receive the tab member.
 7. The hanger device of claim 1 further including a push-thru hole adapted to provide supplemental support to the first portion and the second portion positioned adjacent one another.
 8. The hanger device of claim 1 wherein the fold line defines a straight edge along a top portion of the hook members when the first portion and the second portion are positioned adjacent one another.
 9. A hanger device comprising: a sheet of biodegradable material defining a hook member and a hanger body, wherein the sheet of biodegradable material has a double-wall corrugated structure. 